I am forty three years of age. I am presently attending callage in Peterborough Ontario. Since January 6 2003. Up until now Febuary 18 2003. I am failing all my classes. Im haveing trouble understanding what the assignment are asking. I just finished a test in one of my classes this morning and I was unable to answer any of the Questions. I ended up writing a note on the test that I must except a zero for my grade. I have a medical condition that does not allow me to take on a normal labor intencive job. And this course was to help me get a better job. I can now see that this wont happen. My depression that seems to be growing is intencified every time I fail something.I am very close to giveing up and dropping out of collage.I have also been seeing a councilor for this problem. But I feel the be the time I get some help(medication) it will be to late. I also have for other tests this week and I know I will fail them all. I have been trying to study for these tests but all I am doing is reading nothing is being retained. My futur at this point is looking prity bleak. I have been going to some tutors but I am only allowed one hour a week. which is no where near enough. And I dont have the mony to pay for additional tutoring time at 15$ an hour.I am also concidering myself to be quit an idiot. To think that I was smart enough to go back to school. This is a letter of someone who is despeate and who has given up.
Re: Im failing all my classes
hi
i am a 22 year old college student I cant pass an any exams invilving writing this is very fustrating I get A’S on multible choice but with my dyslexia and dyscacula I cant express my ideas in writing I just took my exam yesterday and I think i failed it im so depressed i work so hard in school only to fail…. whenever i tell people my problem i am told it would be a good idea to drop out of school….. but i love to learn………. i guess maybe they are right
Re: Im failing all my classes
If you have a documented disability then you can access student disability services, some colleges are better than others. Don’t give up on your education, don’t give up get mad, get determined. Read the first person story on this site, the gentleman has dyslexia, he tells how he finally made it through college. Look into the book ‘Learning outside the lines’. I think it is for sale on this site. Two guys who are learning disabled who made it through college and went on to write the book. You can be successful too, you just have to figure out what works for you.
Amy
Re: Im failing all my classes
There is one other thing. Have any of you found that there is a certain time of the day or night that you seem to be the smartest person in tthe world and wide awake>
I say this because i can be a derd all day long. But come 7:00 at night an it seems like my brain changes. By 11:00 I am wide awake until the wee hours in the morning and become even more creative.
So if any of you find that happening with you then take advantage of it. If there is a paper you need to get out do it at that given time that you are aware of everything and unforgettfull.
It happens to me every night and I am in that mode as i type right now. If I were given a difficult task to do, i would be able to do it. Reading during the day is not worth it. At night I never enjoyed reading as much as I do after 11:00pm.
So maybe everyone has THEIR time. Would really appreciate hearing from others if this is so with them.
Re: Im failing all my classes
Hang in there. If you have documentation of your disability, go to student services. All schools including colleges are required by the Americans With Disabilities Act to make accomodations for you free of charge. This might include a note taker, tutoring by a student, oral tests, longer test time, testing in an area with no distractions, but you have to ask or even demand them. It takes effort but is worth it. I have a daughter with dyslexia who is finnishing her second year of college at age 25, she used flash cards, carrys her books every where and I help her study. She is succeeding with a B average. You can too. The school and college system has to be changed to accomodate different learning styles. Good luck.
Re: Im failing all my classes
Andrew: Don’t ever give up. Ask the school for help. Speak to the Dean of your Faculty. Speak to the Learning Centre if you have one. Go to as many government agencies as you can. Get help and be vigilent about it! Just don’t give up. Believe in yourself and push for help at the college.
Re: Im failing all my classes
DO NOT GIVE UP. There is some type of help available. Check with your advisor, go to a counselor, etc. You might need to lower your course load to one or two classes at a time; then concentrate with help. You might need meds to assist with the add problem. I hope you have a doctor; if not, check with student guidance for a referral. Stress that you are becoming overwhelmed, and you need help. Your regular MD can prescribe meds for add assistance. Hang in there! You are not alone.
Re: Im failing all my classes
Pleease DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF! My son is an LD high school student with mild mental retardation. He graduates in May of this year and we have plans for him to go to college. Last fall we visited Landmark College (www.landmarkcollege.edu) in Putney, VT, currently the only college for LD persons. Perhaps they can offer some assistance to you. They accept ALL ages.
My son will follow your footsteps into higher education. Your perseverance and dedication to improving your future employment opportunities is to be applauded and celebrated. The problem most times is not you but your accessiblity to resources and supplements to assist your retention and comprension.
I applaud your reaching out and I pray that you will find your way.
Re: Im failing all my classes
To Andrew, don’t give up. There are ways to make it easier. Some books come on tape, It helps me to listen instead of having a hard time reading. It took me 8 years to get a 2 year degree part time. they also have programs in some colleges for adults returning to college. I have been there I tried reading a text over and over and it never sunk in. I did it so can you.
Creative time
Bojangles,
There isn’t a certain time when I become more ‘lucid’ but I work well under a certain state of mind. Have you considered that you were in a creative state of mind at a certain time and unconciously conditioned yourself to feel this way everyday at that time?
My problem is that I become amazingly clear minded when I’m angry, and creative in despair. That’s not good so I’m trying to break that habit.
Re: I'm failing all my classes
Dear Andrew,
Like others have written on the board, I always knew something was “wrong” with me, but couldn’t figure out what it was. After being diagnosed with depression, OCD, and anxiety, and STILL not feeling right, somehow I discovered some information on ADHD and asked my meds dr. if she’d test me for ADHD. To my surprise, she said yes!! I’m all over the spectrum, she said. Put me on Ritalin, and I’ve had some good success with it “right out of the box”. This was in Jan 2003. With 20-20 hindsight, the problem was right in front of my nose but I couldn’t see it.
I used to get C’s, D’s and F’s in all my classes. I thought I was stupid and felt like giving up too, Andrew.
I went back to school, for the third time, 13 years ago. I love to learn, but my interest wasn’t evident in my test scores. I was directed to my college’s Study Skills Center, where they tested how I learn. They told me that I am a “kinesthetic,visual” learner. They gave me tips on how to study according to my learning style. I graduated with a two year degree and a 3.8 gpa. (in 2.5 years).
I am now in school again, at age 47, working to finish my bachelor’s degree and then after that, the “5th year” which is certification or licensure for teaching. For me, it’ll be my “gazillionth year” but that’s ok! This year I’m pulling a 4.0, go figure. Too bad the 4 year college I’m transferring to is using my 2.8 gpa from my first college go-round 26 years ago!
My point? Oh yeah…that. We all learn differently! Teachers tend to teach according to THEIR learning style, which may not be the same as yours. They tend to teach to one learning style, and don’t usually address the learning styles of all the students in their classes, it’s “too hard” when planning the lesson.
I’m happy to say I’m training to be a Learning Specialist that will understand how to teach to different learning styles.
DON’T GIVE UP!! YOU ARE NOT STUPID!!
And I’m not bragging, I’m just showing you that it takes persistence to succeed. Keep asking questions and don’t stop until you get the answers you need for your health and success!
Good Luck,
Liz
I posted somewhere on here that the same thing happened to me. I needed to get five applicator licenses for the job I wanted. In order to do that I needed some extra classes. I was told by my professor directly that I was his best student.
Come time to take the tests I failed. Over and over and over. 5 times I believe.
Finaly I went to his office at his request and I did the test there. I was still struggleing. He saw this from his office occross the room. Finally he came over and said..
you know all this, What is the problem.? Finally he asked me the questions and I passed. Maybe if you make this request you will pass the test. Given the fact that you have a disability they cannot deny you that priveldge by law.
Good Luck and don’t give up.